It can be easy to overlook the presence of law enforcement at local events. [1]
Officers are always there, of course. Sometimes they seem to simply blend into the tapestry of ongoing celebrations, readily responding at the moment of need. Other circumstances require a more pronounced visibility for a pro-active reminder that safety is a priority and preparations have been made to keep it that way.
And then there is the annual Saline Celtic Festival and the SPD. [2,3,4,5,6,7]
Last year, “Saline police officers wearing kilts at the Celtic Festival became a venue itself.” That’s how Saline Celtic executive board member Jim Peters characterized things for Saline Journal. “It contributed greatly to the atmosphere of the festival.”
That said, some may now be understandably curious. Is a kilt proper attire for on-duty law enforcement? If so, by what authority? And, most importantly: Should visitors expect to see this again during the 2018 Saline Celtic Festival, coming to Mill Pond Park July 13 and 14?
Police uniform policy is based in the norms and values of that department. Subject to that, the specific decision to authorize Saline Police Department personnel to wear kilts while working the Celtic Festival comes from Chief Jerrod Hart.
Chief Hart sees this very much as a “community value” here. “It’s something we celebrate,” he said. “I’d be happy to support that again.”
He then went further.
There are some differing aspects of the police uniform that are easy to miss. For example, when he was with the Novi Police Department just prior to joining SPD, the chief always wore four stars on his collar. In Saline, our chief wears an eagle. There are also less subtle differences.
Celtic duty then may be more akin to officers riding patrol on mountain bikes. “That can be a conversation-starter,” he continued. “It might be cause to approach the officer to ask about the bicycle or what it’s like to ride it and the circumstances.
Here I can see something similar: ‘Do you like to wear that kilt?’
“Now is a very challenging time for law enforcement. The overwhelming majority are outstanding officers. But this can be a challenge to see with social media and people with platforms that are used to stigmatize. So any time we don’t have to take a theft report or pull someone over for a traffic violation — to have a different interaction with the public — that is a good thing. They can then see for themselves that we are here to help.
“The kilt might also be the ice-breaker that keeps someome from causing trouble.
“Regardless of dress,” Chief Hart concluded, “my direction for our festivals and parades is to keep your eyes open. We need an awareness that goes above and beyond. My mind will always be on safety first, and that’s where my officers minds will be, too.”
Jim Peters underscored this value. “The Saline police have always been outstanding to work with and a large part of the festival success.”
Will a kilt be part of the uniform worn by Jerrod Hart during his first Saline Celtic Festival as chief this year?
“Absolutely.”
References
- “Police Department” City of Saline.
- Saline Celtic Festival (home page).
- Saline Celtic Festival (Facebook Page).
- “SalineCeltic” Twitter.
- “salineceltic” Instagram.
- “Hundreds celebrate Celtic culture at annual Saline Celtic Festival” Hunter Dyke (July 15, 2017) mLive.
- “5 Tips for the Saline Celtic Festival” Anna Mae (July 5, 2016) Ann Arbor with Kids.
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